Color Dispensing System and Method

ABSTRACT

A paint creation and dispensing system includes a variety of components for creating paint of a selected color and paint type and for processing payment for the paint. The system may be configured to receive a color selection in a variety of ways including through customer selection and via an electronic color reader (portable or stationary). The paint system may allow a customer to obtain an amount (e.g., a sample or a full gallon) of paint without help from a store employee or other personnel. In one or more arrangements, the paint system may be networked so that a customer may pre-order paint, upload color selections, make a payment, and or order additional supplies of paint or other products based on the color chosen for final painting.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to co-pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 12/058,259 filed Mar. 28, 2008, and entitled“Color Dispensing System and Method,” which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF ART

The invention relates generally to systems, methods and apparatuses fordispensing custom colored items and solutions. In particular, aspectsrelate to the creation, dispensing and purchase of an amount of paintaccording to a color specified by a user.

BACKGROUND

With an ever growing palette of colors, customers are increasingly inneed of customized paints and paint colors. From repairing damage to awall to updating a living space, various types of paint and paint colorsand paint textures can have dramatic effects on a room or a building.Many hardware stores and the like allow customers to purchase customizedpaints by selecting a color and mixing a full size container of theselected color of paint. The preparation of the paint also normallyrequires the help of store personnel to identify and obtain the correctbase paint, open the lid and operate the color customization machine.However, it is rare for a person to know, without trial and error, whatcolors and types of paint suit the person's taste and work best in agiven space. Thus, a customized container of paint may often go to wasteif a customer returns home only to realize that the paint is the wrongcolor or unsuitable for a given space. Not only does the paint go towaste, the customer also spends a significant amount of time and moneythat multiplies given the number of colors the customer tries out inmaking an ultimate color and paint decision.

SUMMARY

A paint creation and dispensing system including a point of sale systemand paint preparation system provides a customer with a system andmethod for selecting a paint color and paint type, obtaining theselected color and/or type of paint, and paying for the selected paint.Such a paint creation and dispensing system may be used to createsample-sized amounts of paint. Alternatively or additionally, such asystem may also be used to create full sized amounts (e.g., gallons orquarts) of paint. Paint colors may be selected in a variety of waysincluding using color suggestions, using a color reader/scanner, orbrowsing a color palette. According to one aspect, a paint creation anddispensing system may include a storage area for holding sample-sizedcontainers of base paint, a mixing device, a tint injector, a point ofsale system and a color reader. Such a system may thus allow a customerto obtain and pay for a paint sample through a single system and withoutthe need for assistance from a store employee or the like. According toanother aspect, multiple samples or other amounts of paint may beprepared and purchased at one time to further enhance the efficiency ofobtaining paint.

These as well as other advantages and aspects of the invention areapparent and understood from the following detailed description of theinvention, the attached claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a paint sample system configured to create anddispense paint samples according to one or more aspects describedherein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computing environment according to one or moreaspects described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a paint mixer container according to one or moreaspects described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of an injector nozzle assembly andmixer portions according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of a nozzle assembly according toone or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a paint sample container according to one or moreaspects described herein.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for creating and processingpayment for a paint sample according to one or more aspects describedherein.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting and using acolor selection method according to one or more aspects describedherein.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate interfaces for making selections of a colorselection method, a color and color options according to one or moreaspects described herein.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing an order forpaint supplies according to one or more aspects described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a paint sample creation and dispensing system 100that offers customers a do-it-yourself system for creating andpurchasing a sample of paint. Paint samples are generally smaller insize than full quarts, gallons or larger quantities of paints that aremore commonly sold in stores. For example, a sample sized paintcontainer may hold between 2 oz. and 5 oz. (inclusive) of paint. Thus,the samples may be purchased at less cost, allowing customers to testout various colors prior to committing to any of the colors. In oneexample, a person may wish to purchase several samples to apply to awall or object being painted to determine which color is desired. Paintsample system 100 includes a variety of systems and components that aregenerally configured to receive a selection of a color, create a sampleof the selected color, dispense the sample and process payment for thesample. In particular, paint sample system 100 includes storage area105, conveyors 110, mixer 115, tint injector assembly 120, dispensingchute 125, purchase interface 130, color reader 135, tint cartridges 160and tint pumps 165. Storage area 105 is configured to store multiplesample-sized bottles of base paint, such as semi-gloss, gloss, matte,eggshell, satin and flat. Base paints may be mixed with tints to createa variety of colors. Storage area 105 may include multiple separatedcolumns for storing bottles in an organized manner based on the type ofbase paint, size, interior/exterior use suitability, or the like.

In proximity to storage area 105, paint sample system 100 may includeconveyor slides 110 for conveying a sample-sized paint bottle to mixer115. Either the conveyors 110 or storage area 105 or both may includerelease mechanisms that allow a paint bottle to exit from storage area105 and travel down conveyors 110 into mixer 115. In one example,release mechanisms for dispensing paint bottles may be similar to thoseused in electrical and/or mechanical vending machines (e.g., snack andsoda vending machines). In another example, a paint bottle may bereleased through a series of release doors (not shown) configured toallow a single bottle to exit from storage area 105. In one or morearrangements, conveyors 110 or storage area 105 may be configured torelease multiple bottles for a transaction depending on the needs of thepurchasing customer.

As discussed, once a paint sample bottle has been released from storagearea 105, the bottle is conveyed into mixer 115. Mixer 115 may beconfigured to hold and mix a sample in a single paint bottle or samplesin multiple paint bottles at one time. In particular, mixer 115 mayinclude a receptacle (e.g., receptacle 520 of FIG. 5) that may be tiltedat an angle (e.g., 30 degrees) relative to a horizontal or verticalplane. The receptacle may be configured to receive a paint bottle and torotate such that the injected tint is mixed with the base paint. Thereceptacle may also be rotated to receive a paint container or bottle ina specified position, to align a paint container with tint injectorassembly 120 or to eject the paint container into dispensing chute 125.In one or more arrangements, the entire mixer 115 may rotate or move tomix the paint, to receive a paint container and/or to eject a paintcontainer into dispensing chute 125.

Mixer 115 may further include one or more securing systems that hold apaint sample bottle in place once the bottle drops in the mixer. FIG. 3,for example, illustrates a mixer 300 having recessed regions 303, 305,307 and 309, in the bottom. The size and shape of recessed regions303-309 may correspond to the size and shape of a paint sample bottlewith allowance for some leeway. The depth of recessed regions 303-309may be sufficient to prevent paint sample bottles from slipping ormoving within mixer 300 during the tinting and/or mixing process. In oneconfiguration, recessed regions 303-309 may be disposed in a receptaclesuch as receptacle 520 of FIG. 5.

Additionally or alternatively, mixer 300 may further include openings inthe bottoms of each of recessed regions 303-309 so that a paint samplebottle may be ejected from mixer 300 and into a customer delivery chutesuch as dispensing chute 125 of FIG. 1. For example, an ejection arm maybe used to propel a paint sample bottle in recessed region 303 bycontacting the paint sample bottle through opening 311. The force anddirection with which an ejection arm ejects the paint sample bottle maydepend on a variety of factors including a distance and orientation ofthe destination (e.g., dispensing chute 125 of FIG. 1) and the size andweight of the bottle. Alternate or additional methods of securing thesample bottles in a mixer may also be used. For example, a holding ringmay extend from the walls of the mixer and wrap around a paint samplebottle.

FIG. 1 further illustrates paint sampling system 100 including tintinjector assembly 120 that is configured to inject various tints into abottle of base paint based on a selected color. Tint injector assembly120 includes multiple injection needles 121 that are each connected viaone of tubes 122 to a tint reservoir or cartridges 160. Tint may bedrawn from cartridges 160 by pumps 165 that may include metering orcontrol systems that control the amount of tint drawn from cartridges160 and dispensed from injector nozzles. Each injection needle may beconfigured to extend from the remainder of tint injector assembly 120 sothat each needle is able to inject a tint into a paint sample bottlewithout interference from the remainder of needles 121. The extension ofeach needle may be provided using mechanical (e.g., hydraulic) orelectrical systems or a combination thereof FIG. 4 illustrates aninjection needle 400 having an injector nozzle 403, a needle liner 405and an actuator tab 407. Actuator tab 407 controls the extension ofinjector nozzle 403 by sliding along groove 409. Needle liner 405 may beconfigured to provide smooth extension and retraction of nozzle 403 andmay be composed of a low-friction material such as TEFLON.

To prevent an uneven distribution or mix of tint (e.g., colorantseparation) in tint cartridges 160, an agitator or circulation system(not shown) may be used. In one example, cartridges 160 may be docked toan agitator that shakes or otherwise agitates each of cartridges 160 inone or more directions. In another example, cartridges 160 may include aclosed loop circulation system that circulates the tint out of and backinto cartridges 160. Using a closed loop circulation may also aid inpreventing clogs. In yet another example, cartridges 160 may includeinternal paddles configured to move within cartridges 160 therebyagitating the tint stored therein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of an injector assembly and mixerportions of a paint sample system. The enlarged view includes injectorassembly 500, mixer 501, sample bottle 502 and conveyors 503. Theinjector assembly 500 includes feed tubes 505 that draw tint from a tintreservoir (not shown), indexing motor 507, nozzle assembly 509 andnozzle 511. In use, indexing motor 507 is configured to rotate nozzleassembly 509 to select a nozzle for injecting a desired tint into apaint sample bottle. Stated differently, indexing motor 507 rotatesnozzle assembly 509 such that a nozzle associated with a particular tintis rotated into alignment with an insertion hole of a paint samplebottle, e.g., insertion opening 515 of bottle 502. Indexing motor 507may further actuate the extension of nozzles such as nozzle 511 fromnozzle assembly 509. Alternatively or additionally, the extension of thenozzles from nozzle assembly 509 may be performed or assisted by anothermechanism (not shown). In one or more configurations, bottle 502 may betilted to angle opening 515 toward nozzle assembly 507. Accordingly,mixer 501, as illustrated, may include one or more grooves, e.g., groove517, in the lip of the mixer to receive and secure bottle 502 in atilted position.

As discussed, mixer 501 may further include a receptacle 520 that may betilted at an angle (e.g., 30 degrees) relative to a horizontal plane sothat when rotated, the paint is mixed in both a horizontal and verticaldirection. Receptacle 520 is further configured to rotate to receive apaint container or bottle in a specified position, to align a paintcontainer with tint injector assembly 500 or to eject the paintcontainer into a dispensing chute (e.g., chute 125).

Referring again to FIG. 1, purchase interface 130 includes a computingsystem that is configured to allow a user to select and purchase a paintsample. In one arrangement, purchase interface 130 may include a touchscreen device for user interaction and a network device forcommunicating with remote computing systems. For example, the networkdevice may be used to authorize and complete credit card transactions.Purchase interface 130 may further include various payment systemsincluding a bill acceptor, a coin slot, magnetic strip reading deviceand the like. Additionally or alternatively, purchase interface 130 mayinclude a change dispensing system configured to dispense appropriatechange for payments made with cash. In another alternative, purchaseinterface 130 may provide a receipt or print a code (e.g., bar code) onthe paint sample, which the user can then use to pay for the sample at acashier of the location in which the machine is located.

Color reader 135 may be used to scan or read an object to determine acolor. Color reader 135 may be configured to read and determine colorsusing a variety of optical sensors known in the art. Color reader 135may be further equipped with an object holder 140 having scanningsurface 150 and adjustable arm 145. Adjustable arm 145 may be adjustedto hold and secure an object between arm 145 and scanning surface 150. Ashelf 155 may also be provided under color reader 135 to allow acustomer to place objects while making a paint sample purchase. Shelf155 may also be adjustable in height or length or both to accommodateitems of different sizes (e.g., a pillow).

According to one or more aspects, color reader 135 or a portion thereof(e.g., color reader 135 without adjustable arm 145) may be detachablefrom paint sampling system 100 and portable so that a customer may bringcolor reader 135 to the object that he or she wishes to scan. Forexample, color reader 135 may be portable color reader such asCOLOR-HELPER by COLOR SAVVY. A detachable color reader may then beattached to a docking station (not shown) in paint sampling system 100to obtain an appropriate paint sample. Alternatively, paint samplingsystem 100 may include both a stationary (i.e., non-portable) colorreader in addition to one or more portable color readers. Customers maythus use the stationary color reader even when the portable colorreaders have been rented or are otherwise in use.

While system 100 of FIG. 1 has been described as being configured forcreating and dispensing paint samples, such a paint creation anddispensing system may also be configured to create and dispense paint oflarger (or smaller) amounts and sizes. For example, a paint creation anddispensing system may be configured to create a quart or gallon of paint(i.e., rather than a sample). In one embodiment, a paint creation anddispensing system may be configured to create and dispense paint of avariety of sizes. Thus, a base paint storage area may include storagesections that store different sized containers of base paint. Differentsized tint injector nozzles may also be used so that tint may bedispensed in greater amounts and/or more quickly for larger containersof paint. Similarly, smaller tint nozzles may be used for smallercontainers such as sample-sized containers of paint.

As discussed, paint sampling system 100 may include one or morecomputing systems. Such computing systems may include a variety ofcomponents such as those illustrated in FIG. 2. Particularly, acomputing device such as computer 200 may house a variety of componentsfor inputting, outputting, storing and processing data. For example,processor 205 may perform a variety of tasks including executing one ormore applications, retrieving data from a storage device such as storage215 and/or outputting data to a device such as display 220. Processor205 may be connected to Random Access Memory (RAM) module 210 in whichapplication data and/or instructions may be temporarily stored. RAMmodule 210 may be stored and accessed in any order, providing equalaccessibility to the storage locations in RAM module 210. Computer 200may further include Read Only Memory (ROM) 212 which allows data storedthereon to persist or survive after computer 100 has been turned off.ROM 212 may be used for a variety of purposes including for storage ofcomputer 200's Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). ROM 212 may furtherstore date and time information so that the information persists eventhrough shut downs and reboots. In addition, storage 215 may providelong term storage for a variety of data including applications and datafiles for controlling device 100 as described herein. Storage 215 mayinclude any of a variety of computer readable media such as disc drives,optical storage media, magnetic tape storage systems, flash memory andthe like. In one example, processor 205 may retrieve an application fromstorage 215 and temporarily store the instructions associated with theapplication RAM module 210 while the application is executing.

Computer 200 may output data through a variety of components anddevices. As mentioned above, one such output device may be display 220.Another output device may include an audio output device such as speaker225. Each output device 220 and 225 may be associated with an outputadapter such as display adapter 222 and audio adapter 227, whichtranslates processor instructions into corresponding audio and videosignals. In addition to output systems, computer 200 may receive and/oraccept input from a variety of input devices such as keyboard 230,storage media drive 235 and/or microphone (not shown). As with outputdevices 220 and 225, each of the input devices 230 and 235 may beassociated with an adapter 240 for converting the input into computerreadable/recognizable data. In one example, voice input received throughmicrophone (not shown) may be converted into a digital format and storedin a data file. In one or more instances, a device such as media drive235 may act as both an input and output device allowing users to bothwrite and read data to and from the storage media (e.g., DVD-R, CD-RW,etc.).

Computer 200 may further include one or more communication componentsfor receiving and transmitting data over a network. Various types ofnetworks include cellular networks, digital broadcast networks, InternetProtocol (IP) networks and the like. Computer 200 may include adapterssuited to communicate through one or more of these networks. Inparticular, computer 200 may include network adapter 250 forcommunication with one or more other computer or computing devices overan IP network. In one example, adapter 250 may facilitate transmissionof data such as electronic mail messages, transaction data and otherinformation over a company or organization's network. In anotherexample, adapter 250 may facilitate transmission or receipt ofinformation from a world wide network such as the Internet. In one ormore arrangements, network adapter 250 may provide wireless networkaccess for computer 200. Computer 200 may include a variety of othercomponents and is not limited to the devices and systems described inFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a paint sample container that may be used inconjunction with a paint sampling system such as system 100 of FIG. 1.Paint sample container 600 may include a cylindrical body for storingthe paint and a cap portion 610 configured to prevent spillage. Capportion 610 may be attached to container 600 in a variety of waysincluding screw-on and snap-on configurations. According to one aspect,cap portion 610 may include an injection opening 615 through which anozzle may extend and tint may be injected. Injection opening 615 mayinclude a seal, e.g, seal 620, of sufficient flexibility to allow anozzle to penetrate therethrough while forming and maintaining an air orliquid-tight seal when the nozzle is withdrawn. Additionally, in orderto clean and prevent tint buildup in a nozzle, the injection opening 615may be lined with one or more absorbing materials that reduces oreliminates (e.g., by absorbing) residual tint on a nozzle uponextracting the nozzle from container 600. In one or more configurations,cap portion 610 may include a centrally located septum configured toallow the injection of tint into container 600. While container 600 isillustrated as a cylinder in FIG. 6, container 600 may be formed in avariety of shapes. Containers and container caps for paint of non-samplesizes may also be configured in the same or a similar fashion as thepaint sample container 600 and cap 610 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which a customer mayselect and purchase a sample of paint. In step 700, a sampling systemmay receive a selection of a method for selecting a color. For example,a customer may be provided with the choice of selecting a color based ona color code, a paint manufacturer, a color match using an electroniccolor reader/scanner, or color suggestions. In one arrangement, thepaint sampling system may make color suggestions by asking the customera series of questions regarding the use of the paint. Thus, based oninformation such as a room in which the paint will be used, colors ofadjoining rooms or walls, furniture colors, interior or exterior use,and the like, suggestions may be provided. In step 705, the paintsampling system may receive a color selection using the selected method.Optionally, the paint sampling system may also receive other optionselections such as paint brand and interior or exterior use in step 710.Paint and brand selection may be selected in a variety of ways includingentry of a color code (e.g., a 6 digit paint ID number), selection of acolor from a color palette, selection from a listing of brands and/orcombinations thereof Upon receiving the selection of the color (and, insome instances, paint options), the paint sampling system may determinean appropriate base paint with which to create the sample in step 715.For example, an appropriate base paint may be identified based oninterior or exterior use and a desired finish. Thus, if a customer wouldlike a flat finish, a flat base paint may be used. Next, in step 720,the paint sampling system may dispense the determined base paint from abase paint storage area into a mixer where tints may be injected intothe base paint to form the selected color.

The tints and amount of tint to be used may be determined in step 725according to predefined color formulas. The predefined color formulasmay be stored in memory of the paint sampling system. In one example, tocreate an emerald color, a certain amount of blue tint, yellow tint, andother appropriate tint(s) may be added to the base paint in accordancewith the color formula for emerald. Once the tints and amount of tinthave been determined, the paint sampling system may inject the basepaint with the appropriate amounts of tint in step 730. After injectingthe tint(s), the paint sampling system may then mix the tint(s) and thebase paint to ensure that the color is consistent throughout the samplein step 735.

Simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the preparation ofthe paint sample (e.g., including determination of tints and tintamounts and mixing the paint sample), the paint sampling system mayprocess payment for the requested sample. In particular, the paintsampling system may determine a total cost and request payment in step740. Upon receiving payment and completing the transaction in step 745,the prepared paint sample may subsequently be dispensed to the customerin step 750. In one or more configurations, the paint sampling systemmay further generate a paint label that identifies the paint containedtherein. Such identification information may include the color of thepaint, the brand, the type of base paint and the like. When identifyingthe color, the paint sampling system may provide a sample (e.g., a dotor drop) of the paint on the label or some other location of the paintsample container.

A customer may further create an account and/or save color andtransaction information when obtaining a paint sample so that thecustomer may later retrieve the colors without having to search for themagain. Color information may include identification of the colors forwhich samples were created and purchased while transaction informationmay include other paint characteristics such as finishes, brands,interior/exterior use and the like. By saving color and transactioninformation, the customer may return to purchase larger sized containersof a selected color once he or she has decided on appropriate colors, asdiscussed in further detail below.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting a coloraccording to aspects described herein. As noted in FIG. 7, colors may beselected using a variety of methods. Thus, in step 800, a customer maybe asked to select whether he or she would like to choose a color byentering a specific color code, by browsing a color palette andselecting a specific color, by performing a color match using a colorreader/scanner or by reviewing color suggestions. FIG. 9 illustrates oneembodiment of a user interface for making such a selection. Interface900 may include the three aforementioned options 903 a-c as well as helpoption 905 and language options 907.

Once a selection of a color selection method has been received, thesystem may determine which method has been selected in steps 805-815. Ifthe customer selected selection by palette, a color palette may bedisplayed in step 820. The color palette may expand to show similar oradditional colors as the customer interacts with the system (e.g., bychoosing a particular color from a current palette). Once a colorselection has been received, e.g., in step 822, the sample system mayrequest selection of one or more options including a final color ID, apaint brand, a finish and a use of the paint (e.g., interior orexterior) in step 825. FIG. 10 illustrates a user interface throughwhich color option selections may be made. Interface 1000 includes IDinput area 1005, brand selection area 1010, finish selection area 1015and use selection area 1020. Interface 1000 may further include a keypad1025 for entering a paint ID. A next option 1030 for proceeding to thenext step may be grayed out (i.e., indicating it is inactive) until allrequired information has been selected. In one or more configurations,the color ID may be automatically populated based on a color selectionmade in a previous screen.

Referring again to FIG. 8, if, on the other hand, a customer chooses toselect a color based on a color match, the paint sampling system mayactivate a color reader and scan an object placed therein in step 830.In some instances, if the customer is using a portable color reader, thepaint sampling system may download scanned color information from theportable color reader. Specifically, in one instance, the paint samplingsystem may receive notification that a portable color reader has beendocked to the system and subsequently request color data from thereader. In step 835, the paint sampling system may determine one or morecolors that match the color of the scanned object. Various methods ofcolor matching may be used including comparing levels of red, blue andgreen in a pair of colors. In step 840, the paint sampling system maydisplay the matching or the closest matching colors. Upon receiving aselection of one of the colors in step 845, the paint sampling systemmay display the color choice as well as additional color options in acolor palette in step 850. The additional color options may be similarto the selected color and may include accents. The paint sample systemmay then receive a selection of a final color from the color palette instep 853. Upon receiving the selection, the system may request selectionof color options as discussed in step 825.

Finally, if the color selection based on color suggestion method ischosen, the paint sampling system may initially request a selection of aroom in which the paint will be used in step 855. In one example, thepaint sampling system may display an interface 1100 listing multipletypes of room, as illustrated in FIG. 11. For example, room types mayinclude bathrooms, living & dining areas, kitchen spaces, bedrooms,garages and exteriors. Upon receiving a selection of one of the roomtypes in step 860, the paint sample system may determine and displaycolor suggestions for the selected room type in step 865. Colorsuggestions may be made based on popular colors for the room type,suggestions by design experts, style trends and the like. In one or moreinstances, a video that provides examples of how colors are used in theselected room type may be played in conjunction with (e.g., before) thedisplay of the color suggestions. Upon receiving a selection of a colorfrom the color suggestions in step 870, the paint sample system mayproceed to request color option selections in step 825.

FIG. 12 illustrates an interface showing a variety of color suggestionsfor a selected room type. The color suggestions may be grouped toidentify which colors might look best together. Interface 1200 may allowa user to select multiple colors from the color suggestions to obtain asample of each color.

Once a color or colors have been selected, the paint sample system mayproceed to prepare the sample and process payment as described in FIG.7. Additionally or alternatively, each of the above color selectionmethods may allow a user to select multiple colors at a time to obtainmultiple samples through one transaction. Thus, in such instances, thecustomer may be requested to select color options (e.g., in step 825)for each of the multiple selected colors.

According to one or more aspects, a paint sampling system may havenetwork capabilities and be connected to a network like the Internet ora store's intranet. Thus, the paint sampling system may allow a customerto pre-order or pre-select colors and options prior to arriving at thepaint sampling system so that once the customer arrives at the system,he or she might only need to complete payment to receive their paintsample (i.e., without having to go through the color and paint selectionprocesses). Further, a customer may upload color information from aportable color reader to a home or work computer and upload thatinformation to the paint sampling system. Still further, once a customerhas decided on a color using samples, the customer may request andpurchase a full size (e.g., a quart or gallon) of the desired color aswell as paint supplies needed for painting one or more areas.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing orders forpaint and paint supplies once a customer has decided on a color. In step1300, an ordering system may receive a request to order paint of aselected color. The order request may be made locally in a store orremotely from home through a network. The order may include a color codefor identifying the desired color and/or a transaction code thatprovides information regarding other paint characteristics such as atype of finish (e.g., matte, gloss, semi-gloss), a type of use (e.g.,interior or exterior), a desired brand and the like. The color andtransaction information may be saved, for example, when a customerinitially purchases color samples. Thus, when a customer decides on acolor, he or she may find the selected color from the saved color andtransaction information. In one arrangement, a customer may create anaccount and may then access color and transaction information through anorder history.

In step 1305, the ordering system may request and receive informationrelating to the room, area or surface on which the paint is to be used.The information may include a room or area size, whether there isfurniture in the room, a number of windows or size of windows and thelike. In step 1310, the ordering system may further request and receivepaint attributes other than color such as selections of a special finish(e.g., glazing, sponging, ragging). In step 1315, the ordering systemmay determine supplies needed for the selected special finish and forthe specified room or area. Supplies may include the amount of paintneeded to paint the space, brushes, rollers, trays, sponges, paint tape,furniture covers and the like. In one example, if a customer wishes topaint a wall that is 10 feet by 15 feet, the ordering system maydetermine how many quarts or gallons of paint would be needed to coverthe 150 square feet.

In step 1320, the ordering system may determine which supplies thecustomer wishes to purchase. For example, the ordering system may allowa customer to select a subset of the determined supplies for purchase.Once the desired supplies have been identified, the ordering system mayrequest a preferred delivery method for the supplies in step 1325. Thatis, the ordering system may ask the customer whether he or she wishes tohave the supplies delivered or if they would like to pick-up the orderin a store. Upon receiving a delivery method, the ordering system mayprocess payment for the ordered supplies and complete the transaction instep 1330.

Alternatively or additionally, a customer might not need to purchase thesupplies through the ordering system. Instead, the customer may printout a list of the recommended supplies and bring the list to a store andmanually select and purchase desired items from the list. Variouscombinations of delivery, pick-up and manual purchasing may also besupported by the ordering system and used by the customer.

While the aspects described herein relate generally to a paint samplecreation and dispensing system, similar features may be used for mixingand dispensing other types of products. For example, an ice creammachine may use a similar system to dispense a desired ice cream conefrom a cone storage area and use a nozzle assembly to dispense differentflavors or combination of flavors of ice cream. Other examples mayinclude making mixed drinks (e.g., in bars), creating and dispensingmake-up (e.g., foundation for matching skin tones), creating hair dyes,dispensing mixtures of coffees, stains (e.g., for decking and woodsurfaces) and mixing grout or caulk.

Additionally, the methods and features recited herein may further beimplemented through any number of computer readable media that are ableto store computer readable instructions. Examples of computer readablemedia that may be used include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic storage and the like.

The present invention has been described in terms of preferred andexemplary embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modificationsand variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims willoccur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a paintdispensing device, a selection of a paint color; determining, by thepaint dispensing device, a type of base paint based on at least theselected paint color; identifying, by the paint dispensing device, apaint container storing the determined type of base paint; automaticallydispensing, by the paint dispensing device, the identified paintcontainer from a storage area of the paint dispensing device to a mixerof the paint dispensing device; determining, by the paint dispensingdevice, at least one tint to inject into the paint container to createpaint of the selected paint color; aligning, by the paint dispensingdevice, a nozzle corresponding to the determined at least one tint withthe paint container; and injecting, by the paint dispensing device, thedetermined at least one tint into the paint container.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: processing payment for the paint of theselected paint color by the paint dispensing device.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: automatically reading, at the paintdispensing device, a color of an object, wherein the selection of thepaint color is based on the automatic reading, the paint colorcorresponding to the color of the object.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein receiving the selection of the paint color includes receivingthe selection over a network connection.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein receiving the selection of the paint color includes receivingcolor data from an electronic color reader.
 6. The method of claim 5,further comprising: detecting that the electronic color reader isconnected to the paint dispensing device; and requesting the color datafrom the electronic color reader in response to detecting that theelectronic color reader is connected to the paint dispensing device. 7.The method of claim 2, wherein processing payment for the created paintof the selected color is performed overlapping performance of at leastone of: injecting the determined at least one tint into the paintcontainer and determining at least one tint to inject into the paintcontainer to create the paint of the selected paint color.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein dispensing the paint container to the mixer includesdispensing the paint container to the mixer in a manner such that one ormore grooves in a lip of the mixer support a portion of the paintcontainer in a tilted position relative to a vertical axis of the mixer.9. A paint dispensing apparatus comprising: a paint container storagearea; a mixer; at least one processor; and memory storing computerreadable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor,cause the paint dispensing apparatus to: receive a selection of a paintcolor; determine a type of base paint based on at least the selectedpaint color; identify a paint container storing the determined type ofbase paint; automatically dispense the identified paint container fromthe paint container storage area to the mixer; determine at least onetint to inject into the paint container to create paint of the selectedpaint color; align a nozzle corresponding to the determined at least onetint with the paint container; and inject the determined at least onetint into the paint container.
 10. The paint dispensing apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed,further cause the paint dispensing apparatus to process payment for thepaint of the selected paint color.
 11. The paint dispensing apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed,further cause the paint dispensing apparatus to automatically read acolor of an object, wherein the selection of the paint color is based onthe automatic reading, the paint color corresponding to the color of theobject.
 12. The paint dispensing apparatus of claim 9, wherein theapparatus further includes a conveyor slide configured to convey thedispensed paint container from the paint container storage area to themixer.
 13. The paint dispensing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mixerfurther includes one or more grooves in a lip of the mixer, wherein thepaint dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense the paint containerinto the mixer in a manner such that the one or more grooves are supporta portion of the paint container in a tilted position relative to avertical axis of the mixer.
 14. The paint dispensing apparatus of claim9, wherein the paint container storage area is configured to store aplurality of paint containers including at least a first containerstoring a first type of base paint and at least a second containerstoring a second type of base paint.
 15. One or more non-transitorycomputer readable media storing computer readable instructions that,when executed by a processor, cause a paint dispensing apparatus to:receive a selection of a paint color; determine a type of base paintbased on at least the selected paint color; identify a paint containerstoring the determined type of base paint; automatically dispense theidentified paint container from a storage area of the paint dispensingapparatus to the mixer; determine at least one tint to inject into thepaint container to create paint of the selected paint color; align anozzle corresponding to the determined at least one tint with the paintcontainer; and inject the determined at least one tint into the paintcontainer.
 16. The one or more computer readable media of claim 15,wherein computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the paintdispensing apparatus to dispense the identified paint container to themixer in a manner such that the paint container is supported by one ormore grooves in a lip of the mixer in a tilted position relative to avertical axis of the mixer.
 17. The one or more computer readable mediaof claim 16, wherein aligning the nozzle includes rotating a nozzleassembly comprising a plurality of nozzles.
 18. The one or more computerreadable media of claim 15, wherein receiving the selection of the paintcolor includes receiving the selection over a network connection.